Sirius "trunk" radios

[navychop]

With 2.0 coming, I've accepted that in 2 or 3 years my Sirius radio will be obsolete and useless. When I had to replace my failed dash radio in my 2008 Jetta, I learned that the Sirius part of the "radio system" was actually a separate box, presumably in the trunk.

Any chance these things are standard and work with many radios? IOW, might it be possible when Sirius completely shifts over, that I might be able to buy a new version of that box and keep service? I tend to keep vehicles 10 years or more.

Anybody know how it works?

 

[rglore]

Pre 2.0 radios should work for at least 10 more years. They are still being installed in new 2012 and 2013 model cars. Based on past history, factory equipment has almost zero chance of being upgraded, easier and cheaper to just replace.

 

[navychop]

You've certainly gotten different info than I have. I sure hope you're right. But it seems doubtful that they will hold off regaining spectrum for that long. What is it, 30% they hope to regain?

I was just hoping they had a standard box that they could interface with many factory dash radios, and use the same one year after year. If you're right, it won't matter.

 

[dfergie]

There was some language in the Sirius/XM brief Scott posted that made me wonder if all they had to do was replace chips in newer factory radios to make them compatable...

 

[navychop]

Yep. It is my understanding that hardware wise, the change is minor. Many older XM radios are reputed to be able to be programmed to receive the new signals.

But I have yet to read anything substantive officially. Just leaked stuff from quite some time ago.

 

[navychop]

After a bit more research: 2.0 radios sold today are only the portables. As stated above, none for vehicles until 2013, so rglore is right, I should have a few more years to go. And it's way too early to determine replacements.

I have learned, however, that there are approximately ten different Sirius vehicle units that remotely connect to standard radios. I can't determine which is in my Jetta (which, BTW, is a 2009 not 2008 as I finger fumbled above), but that hardly matters because good luck getting one from anyone other than VW. I can't even find it- it's not in the trunk, maybe behind the dash.

 

[Bobby]

Look under the front seat....

 

[navychop]

Of course, the installed one might be this one.

BRB. Gotta go look under my front seat.

 

[navychop]

Well Golly Gee. Under a kick plate which I never before paid any attention to, there's a - something. Sure LOOKS like it could be a radio component, but it doesn't match any of the pictures of other units, and is kinda large. Only thing other than cryptic numbers on it is "Golf A5 amp" so I'm guessing it's not Sirius, just an extra amp for the "premium SDRS" radio.

Pictures shortly.

 

[navychop]

Sorry the quality is poor. Bad conditions + 3GS.

 

[dfergie]

My 2012 Escape has the 2.0 radio (and I keep forgetting to activate my free preview of the "extra" channels...

 

[navychop]

Was it an XM radio?

 

[dfergie]

Was it an XM radio?

Sirius, I'd be interested if they could upgrade the chips as I have Sirius in my '08 F150 ...

 

[navychop]

I've heard many XMs, but no Sirius radios, can be upgraded w/new firmware. But SiriusXM is so good at keeping things under wraps, who knows WHEN we'll hear anything definite and reliable.

 

[whitewolf8214]

I've heard many XMs, but no Sirius radios, can be upgraded w/new firmware. But SiriusXM is so good at keeping things under wraps, who knows WHEN we'll hear anything definite and reliable.

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